The story of a border guard who was released from captivity on his birthday

The 28-year-old defender of Zmiiny Island was released from Russian captivity.

The man returned to Ukraine on his birthday, June 11, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported.

The man’s name has not been released.

As the released fighter told the State Border Service, he did not believe in returning home to the last.

“We got on the bus and drove blindfolded. I thought, what if something goes wrong? Will the exchange break or something else and we’ll go back. However, deep down I believed that everything would come true.” – says the border guard.

The man says that he breathed his last only at the border, when he set foot on his native land and saw children with Ukrainian flags meeting former prisoners.

“I was lucky, fate gave me such a gift for my birthday. I can’t express my emotions. I turned away and cried. It seems that all of Ukraine knows that it’s my birthday.” – says the soldier.

The 28-year-old defender of Zmiiny Island was released from Russian captivity. Photo: Ministry of Internal Affairs

The fighter says that being in captivity was difficult, especially morally.

“Every evening you go to bed and pray, think about your family and friends. I wish everyone who is still in captivity not to give up and believe in the best, not to be afraid and not lose heart.” he says.

We will remind, on June 11, as a result of another exchange of prisoners, Ukraine returned home 95 soldiers, including soldiers of the Armed Forces, National Guard and border guards. Some of the freed men were prisoners of the “Wagner” PMC and the “Akhmat” unit, and three were not officially confirmed by the enemy as prisoners.

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